Willingness to Respond: A Survey of Emergency Department Personnel and Their Predicted Participation in Mass Casualty Terrorist Events

Willingness to Respond: A Survey of Emergency Department Personnel and Their Predicted Participation in Mass Casualty Terrorist Events

Abstract:

Willingness to Respond: A Survey of Emergency Department Personnel and Their Predicted Participation in Mass Casualty Terrorist Events

Conference Sponsor:

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Year:

2007

Author:

Kordick, Mary Frances, BS, MBA, BSN, MSN, PhD, CNAA, BC

P.I. Institution Name:

Resurrection Medical Center

Title:

Research Associate Director

Email:

kordickmaryfrances@msn.com

Co-Authors:

Lori Winston, MD; Christel Steffen, MD

[Leadership session research presentation] Background: In May 2003, the Topoff 2 national disaster drill demonstrated inadequate preparedness for mass casualty terrorist events and failed to address the willingness of ED personnel to assist with these events. Study Objectives: Examine ED personnel willingness to respond to various multiple casualty events. Design & Methods: A prospective voluntary survey of ED personnel from multiple hospitals were randomly administered vignette-based questionnaires. Results: 204 participants at 8 hospitals in the Chicago area reveal: staff were more willing to work additional hours for victims of an airplane crash (98.0%), radioactive bomb (85.3%), and biologic agent (54.0%). For the biologic agent only, men were significantly more likely to respond than women. Conclusion: Anticipate significant reductions in workforce during biologic and radioactive disaster events. Employees' willingness to respond were not augmented by any incentives offered by hospitals, although enhanced financial remuneration and disability coverage showed the most potential to increase response. Key Words: Mass Casualty Events, Preparedness, Survey, Terrorism Willingness to Respond